Drongo Fantail Chaetorhynchus papuensis Scientific name definitions

20–22 cm, including tail 9–10 cm; male 36–45 g, female 27–39 g. A small sooty-black drongo with tail slightly rounded (not forked), rather short bill strongly compressed, upper mandible strongly hooked, rictal bristles very long. Has frontal band pure velvety black, slight crest of brilliant purple-blue; glossy steel-blue feathers on upperparts, becoming faint on flanks and belly; concealed white patch at base of scapulars; iris brown; bill and legs black. Sexes similar, female a little smaller than male; central tail feathers exceed outer ones by 1–9 mm for male, 1–11 mm for female. Immature is duller than adult and has white gape.

Mountains of New Guinea.

Hill forests from 200 m to 1600 m, mainly 600–1400 m; typical bird of forest interior. Altitudinal ranges of this species and Dicrurus bracteatus seem to be nearly mutually exclusive, latter occurring in lowland forest.

Resident.

Feeds on insects and spiders (Araneae). Hunts in middle stage of forest. Typically, perches upright on horizontal branch, tail pointing straight down, often wingtips hanging below tail; sometimes flicks tail from side to side or upwards. Captures prey by sallying in middle and lower strata. Has been reported as behaving in manner of monarch-flycatcher (Monarchidae) or fantail. Forages alone or in small groups, joining mixed flocks of e.g. Old World warblers (Sylviidae), fantails and monarch-flycatchers; flock-leader species changes according to altitude, generally Rusty Pitohui (Pseudorectes ferrugineus) up to 600 m, Variable Pitohui (Pitohui kirhocephalus) at c. 600–1000 m, Hooded Pitohui (Pitohui dichrous) c. 1100–1300 m and Black Pitohui (Melanorectes nigrescens) from 1200 m to at least 1700 m. Present species benefits by taking insects flushed by flock-members, but may also force other birds to give up captured insects. On the other hand, acts as sentinel, giving alarm at approach of predators. Reported as following Black-billed Sicklebill (Drepanornis albertisi) while foraging on bark and epiphytes; sometimes follows human observer.

Noisy. Song an explosive, rapid jumble of varied short notes, many squeaky and metallic, some lower and nasal, duration 4·5–5 seconds; another song a beautiful melodious mixture of loud whistles, squeaks, chirps and warbles. Calls include mildly explosive jangle of notes; rapid metallic ticking, "sick-tsick, ts-ts-tsik-tsik" or "tsei-tsutsutsutsu"; single strong and metallic "tsei", or "peep", repeated 5–7 times; multisyllabic slur, descending and then rapidly rising, initially harsh and buzzy, ending with clear and squeaky notes; occasionally short nasal, squeaky notes, "cha-cha-cha, chep, chep-pip" and "sscsh-sschsh-tchick". Often utters explosive calls when flushed. Captured individual, when released, uttered low, monotone fantail-like note as it flew away.

Nest a small shallow basket, hung from tree fork. No other information available.

Not globally threatened. Fairly common to scarce, and widely distri­buted. In W & C New Guinea, traditional tribal lifestyle has had little impact on ecosystems, but situation changing as a result of extensive logging concessions and shifting human populations; road-building also resulting in new settlements, followed by further deforestation for agriculture and timber. In S of range large areas are inaccessible, but new roads under construction for development of mining (copper, gold) and large commercial logging operations. In NW & W, the species may benefit from several protected areas, e.g. Foja Nature Reserve (c. 10,000 km²), covering complete altitudinal range of lowland to montane forest.